[It lasts and lasts, and Aubrey asks only for him to be there. If not for his hold on her hands, she’d start to wonder if he’d fallen asleep.

[He speaks. That’s a surprise.

[“No stairs…”

[Against her will, Aubrey hears a sickening splinter. Body, wood, worse than any bat—

[She squeezes. Bleary eyes narrow, pained, but don’t close. Just the smallest of nods, confirming… She’s listening.]